Ross tabbed as new Westmoreland County Election Bureau director

The Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday tabbed the county’s head of information technology to serve as the new election bureau director.

Scott Ross of Youngwood was formally appointed to run the courthouse office that oversees elections as part of a newly created position that combines election functions with the job he has held since 2018.

Ross, 58, oversees all of the county’s computer services.

County officials since late last year have explored potential new leadership for the election bureau following the late December retirement of Greg McCloskey, who served as both head of county elections and public works as part of a combined job. McCloskey served in both roles for more than three years.

“This was the logical progression. Scott Ross and Greg McCloskey worked really well together,” Commissioner Doug Chew said. “Scott oversaw all of the computer parts of the election, and now he will oversee all of the parts. We have been really happy with their work, and so it will allow the bureau to keep consistent leadership and continue to do very well for elections for our constituents.”

In his role as head of technology, Ross oversaw multiple departments, including the elections bureau, and for two decades has been part of decision making and operations of the computer systems and election services. He has worked in the county’s computer services division since 1992.

The commissioners said Ross’ familiarity with the elections bureau and a desire for continuity led to his appointment.

“Scott has proven over his tenure he is immensely qualified,” Commissioner Ted Kopas said. “His record speaks for itself, and he is more than capable of conducting this election and those in the future.”

Ross will see his annual salary increase by nearly $13,000 as a result of his taking on the combined role. His new salary will be about $148,600. He said he will continue to split his time between both jobs but expressed confidence that neither will be shortchanged.

Commissioners have struggled to find a permanent choice to run the elections bureau since its longtime director resigned months before the 2020 presidential election. A replacement lasted just one year before being fired by commissioners over what they said was poor job performance.

McCloskey was installed as a temporary placeholder to run elections in addition to his public works duties but was given a full-time promotion and a salary bump in 2022 to serve as the head of multiple departments.

Ross said his goal is to continue the positive trajectory of the elections office.

“I want to keep going what Greg brought here — transparency, to make sure every vote gets counted and to bring trust to the election office,” Ross said. “I hope this is a natural progression, and I am willing to accept this challenge.”

Ross will be charged with hiring a deputy director for the elections bureau, a role that would ultimately be part of a succession plan commissioners said is necessary to ensure future continuity. The county has not had a deputy director in the bureau since 2021.

“We currently have out the deputy position, and we’re trying to find somebody,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said. “Scott will get the department up and running. We have not made a determination how long Scott wants to continue in this position, so we need a second in command to fill that void once Mr. Ross decides to retire at some point.”